Structures built using drug money razed

The state government on Thursday demolished several illegal properties belonging to drug peddlers.

In a major operation, the Amritsar Corporation, with support of the Punjab Police, demolished a two-storey house and shops constructed by drug traffickers using heavy machinery.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who oversaw the operation, said the move would send a strong message against drug trafficking.

The demolished properties belonged to Gurmeet Singh and Sandeep Singh, alias Sonu. Gurmeet has three cases lodged against him, including seizure of 325 grams of smack and 350 grams of heroin, respectively.

Sandeep has four cases registered against him, including three at Sarai Amanat Khan, and one in Mohali under the NDPS Act.

In a separate operation, the Khanna police and civic body demolished six structures at meat market. These properties were built illegally on the MC’s land and allegedly financed with drug money.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jyoti Yadav said two peddlers — Aslam and Sunil — were already booked in five drug-related cases. Though Sunil is currently in judicial custody, Aslam is on the run.

Other smugglers, including Shindi, Mohendro, Pappu and Gulshan also face cases related to drug trafficking and illegal liquor trade. “Their illegal properties have been razed and the police teams are working to apprehend them,” said the SSP.

Additionally, the Khanna police had frozen three properties belonging to drug peddlers in Payal subdivision on Wednesday, added Yadav.